Headspacing a 40X

[FromMyColdDeadHand]

I have a 40X that doesn't ignite about 1 in 10 rounds. Sometimes it will ignite after a second strike. Tried three kinds of ammo, does it with all three so I assume it is the rifle and its a headspace issue? I took the bolt apart and made sure the firing ping and spring looked good. Who in Denver would be a good gunsmith to have work on it? I assume headspacing isn't something I can do with my duct tape and dremel tool.

What is 'head space' on a 22LR?

[Hoser]

I have a 40X that doesn't ignite about 1 in 10 rounds. Sometimes it will ignite after a second strike. Tried three kinds of ammo, does it with all three so I assume it is the rifle and its a headspace issue? I took the bolt apart and made sure the firing ping and spring looked good. Who in Denver would be a good gunsmith to have work on it? I assume headspacing isn't something I can do with my duct tape and dremel tool.

What is 'head space' on a 22LR?

Sounds like it is not a headspace issue. You most likely need a new firing pin spring or the cocking piece is dragging on the trigger slowing things down.

[FromMyColdDeadHand]

Sounds like it is not a headspace issue. You most likely need a new firing pin spring or the cocking piece is dragging on the trigger slowing things down.

Who would you trust your 40X to in Denver, or can I get the pats from Brownells?

What's the differential diagnoses that leads you spring versus headspace?

[Hoser]

Who would you trust your 40X to in Denver, or can I get the pats from Brownells?

What's the differential diagnoses that leads you spring versus headspace?

If it was a headspace issue you would be rupturing case heads or getting balloned brass. And if it is a factory barrel chances are it came from Remington good to go. Headspace does not change unless the gun/bolt has been played with.

I dont know of anyone in Denver that I would recommend. I do not recommend Black Ops in Montana thats for sure.

[FromMyColdDeadHand]

The last time we wrote you had said you were getting close to sending a gun to them for the mag conversion. I saw some of the posts over on the Hide about that CF, did you or Tim send a gun in? It was more of a business issue than a technical issue, eh?

Does this look like the right spring?

http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts...583-37355.aspx

[BPTactical]

I have a 40X that doesn't ignite about 1 in 10 rounds. Sometimes it will ignite after a second strike. Tried three kinds of ammo, does it with all three so I assume it is the rifle and its a headspace issue? I took the bolt apart and made sure the firing ping and spring looked good. Who in Denver would be a good gunsmith to have work on it? I assume headspacing isn't something I can do with my duct tape and dremel tool.

What is 'head space' on a 22LR?

Headspace is a distance defined by the designer of the cartridge from a given point to the breech face. Different cartridges headspace in different ways. Some from a point on the shoulder, some from the mouth of the cartridge, some from the belt on the casing and some on the rim.
22lr headspaces on the rim, a rim SHOULD be .040 + .002-3 clearance to breech face would be ideal, but 22 varies all over the board, some as little as .036 to .044 (max HS should be .046)
As Hoser alluded to if you had excessive headspace you would have at the least bulged cases/blown out rims/blown out cases.
As long as your not blowing out rims/cases I would not be overly stressed.
If and it is a big if the headspace is excessive the only fix is setting the barrel back and rechambering or possibly fitting a new bolt.
Again Hoser is spot on(the man is wise), likely you have a mechanical issue. A sacked spring, worn firing pin, burr or debris is entirely possible.
I would be happy to take a look.

[BPTactical]

I dont know of anyone in Denver that I would recommend.

That hurts Hoser

[Hoser]

That hurts Hoser

Sorry about that.

Get a PTG complete replacement bolt and take it to Bert. Have him set the barrel back a bit and use the new bolt.

Dont forget to have Bert thread the barrel for a can. Shooting a suppressed 22 bolt gun is more fun than drowning kittens.

[ray1970]

Shooting a suppressed 22 bolt gun is more fun than drowning kittens.

Thanks for starting my day off with a smile.